Friends and fam! I have some updates I’d like to share with you all, the people who have actually been so kind and generous enough to support me with a pre-order (or two or three or more in some cases, ha), before I share on Facebook, Instagram, etc next week. If you don’t have time to read this all, just go ahead and skip to the part that says "IMPORTANT PART" near the bottom.

I’ll start with some not great news. ’The Shift’ unfortunately did not make the cut for the Top 10 manuscripts in the Judges Competition. I won’t lie, I’m bummed. I know everybody who makes an attempt at something and doesn’t quite make the cut always qualifies with things like "Well, I’m still proud of what I did" and "In a way, I still won..." (Just listen to any chef immediately after being eliminated on "Chopped"). And I don’t wanna do all that. 

BUUUUUTTTTT...

It IS my first attempt at a novel, ever, which is something I am proud of. And I did beat somewhere between 400 and 500 other writers, and with stiff competition from what I hear. And, additionally, WHATEVER THESE JUDGES JUST DON’T GET WHAT I’M TRYING TO DO MAN. Haha. Joking. Maybe.

All that said, I am down to only ONE SHOT at making my dream come true and getting published: and that is winning the pre-orders contest on Inkshares. The good news is I am in FIRST PLACE thanks to all of you. But there is a little over one week left, and I know the writers beneath me will REALLY put the push on to catch up.

***IMPORTANT PART***
And so I ask you all again, despite having already helped me so, so much, to please share my book’s Inkshares page. With everyone you have ever met, haha. Email people. Call up old friends. Share to your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, LinkedIn, and Tinder apps. Hell, share it on your Uber app if you can figure out how. I have exhausted my social circle with this and I hate to ask for more of you all, but this is the FINAL PUSH! The contest ends October 9th at 11:30pm PDT! 

For the laziest of you (no judgment) I’ve crafted a message you can just copy and paste to your email or social media profiles here:

"Hey, everybody! I have a small favor to ask: please consider helping Paul achieve his dream of being a published authoer by pre-ordering a copy of his novel at the link below. It’s only $10, and you get your money back if he doesn’t get published. I know he would appreciate it from the bottom of his heart. Thank you so much! http://bit.ly/2xQQvvs"

Thank you all SO much for your. Your support really does mean everything to me. Now, let’s win this thing! 

Much love,
Paul

Greetings to you all.

Extra Life 2017 is almost upon us and I wanted to send an update out about who I’m supporting this year. Usually, I fundraise through the event for Providence of Anchorage, the hospital that saved my niece when she was born too early.  For this year, I’m changing to support UNM Children’s Hospital and here’s why.

Liam is a handsome, happy two-year-old son who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (A.L.L.) in April of 2017. His family was turned upside down and changed forever but remain determined to help this little superhero fight and win this battle. Learn more here. 

I want to help little Liam as much as possible, so I’m supporting UNM as they help treat his cancer. On top of that, his family needs support in other ways.

Please consider helping with even a small donation. Every dollar raised through Extra Life will fund critical treatments, healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment, charitable care and more for my local CMN Hospital.

My personal fundraising goal is $1000 to start (I’ve already cleared my first goal). I would appreciate a gift of any amount. Can you help support my efforts? All donations are collected securely by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

I appreciate your time and consideration. I hope I can be supportive of a charitable effort of yours in the future.

Sincerely,
Brian Guthrie

Find out more about Extra Life via the official Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/ExtraLife4Kids

My jefe, whom I call Melon Baller, a.k.a. the Editor, says to post a few lines from Chapter 4 of Murder Happens.

But first, a big THANK YOU to everyone on this site. It’s been a terrific experience. Super appreciative for everyone I’ve met and all the support received.

I fully intend to support as many writers as possible. And I’m taking a breather from extorting pre-orders and breaking knuckles so participating authors can focus on their Launchpad entries.

Anyway, very excited about this story again, and actively working on the manuscript that I’d finished a few years back.

I always blame my day job when I hit a slump, and Melon Baller goes for my heart with, you guessed it, a shiny steel melon baller.

Ouch!

But you know that feeling when you write something, and you sit back and read it and are able to see it without your can’t-kill-your-darlings bias? 

It’s like that, it’s good and creepy and the story is evolving much stronger.

Here’s an excerpt from Chapter 4 titled Oh My Darling

Friends, Readers, and Sorcerers All,